Valley's Layne Pachl narrowly gets her arms into position to bump the ball during the game against Dayspring Christian Academy on Thursday at the University of Northern of Colorado's volleyball camp in Greeley.

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The University volleyball team looks a little different this time around.

The Bulldogs’ star player, Anais Vargas, has graduated and a new coach is running the show, but they didn’t look fazed by the changes Thursday.

The transition looks as smooth as creamy peanut butter.

University went 3-1 on the first day of the University of Northern Colorado’s team camp, losing its last match of the day 25-21, 24-26, 5-15 against Grandview at the UNC Recreation Center.

New head coach Lindsey Brown said Thursday was the first time the players were all together on the court and the Bulldogs did some great things.

“We’ve improved a ton since the beginning of the day to now,” Brown said. “It’s always a privilege to be able to play Grandview, the defending (Class) 5A state champions.”

She added that Grandview has a lot of experience and it showed in the third set after University played two very tough games.

Earlier in the day, the Bulldogs beat Weldon Valley, Sidney (Neb.) and Centennial (New Mexico), which was a final four team in 5A. University won its pool, and, it did all of that with seven players.

Brown said as a coaching staff, they decided to split University into three smaller teams for the camp, including two squads in the first division.

“When we come to a team camp like this, nobody wants to come and sit (on) the bench,” she said. “… So, the more experience and the more court time we can get for our girls, the better our program is gonna be as a whole.”

This season, University will have just three seniors, including Samantha Smith. She said the older girls are doing a good job of being leaders even though one senior-to-be, Stephanie Vegter, is out after having shoulder surgery.

“But, she’s a great leader off the court,” Smith said.

Brown said she is still trying to work on some different rotations and has made a couple position changes.

“We really want to establish that libero position and Samantha Smith has done a great job with that right now,” Brown said. “She was a setter for them last year, so she’s really taken that role.”

Brown is Smith’s third coach in her career at University, but Smith said it’s not too difficult because she adjusts to coaches well.

“My sister has played for Lindsey, so I know her and I’m excited to have her be my coach,” Smith said.

University will also go to a team camp in Nebraska next week and Brown said that will give the players a chance to bond with one another and get to know her better.

“In my opinion, summer is kinda seeing where we’re at and then in my head, knowing what we need to work on at the beginning of the season,” she said. “So, this is just us kinda coming to play what level we’re at right now, and then we can really work on that repetition factor and our weaknesses once we get to that practice time.”

Brown added that it’s fun to be in the camp atmosphere where she can see who’s going to step up and be leaders for the Bulldogs. She said she is looking forward to the next two days, and Smith said she’s looking forward to the season.

“I’m excited to see what’s gonna become of our team,” Smith said. “I think we have great potential.”

Last year

The Bulldogs made it to the second round of the Class 3A State Volleyball Championships, falling to Valley 3-0. They were 7-3 in the Patriot League and 18-9 overall.

Key additions

It’s hard for Brown to figure this out since she is also new to the team, but she said junior-to-be Kiahlei Yaste has really come on in the middle.

“She was the middle for ‘em last year, but is really the offensive side of things,” she said. “She’s really stepping it up.”

Brown added that junior-to-be Madison Fisher has taken over a leadership role as a setter.

Key losses

Anais Vargas is the main loss that University is feeling the most. She led the offense with 282 kills and led in digs with 220.

Player to watch

Brown said Fisher will definitely be one player to watch this season.

“She’s a very, very good setter, a good leader on the court, can run an offense very well,” Brown said.

Goal of the camp

Brown said University’s goal coming into this camp was getting better each and every match.

“Build that confidence, really just that mentality of playing with this new team that’s on the court right now,” she said. “And, even with that, just seeing what we can do from the start of the camp to the end of the camp.”

Coach’s take

“Defense is gonna be our No. 1 priority ‘cause I think defense leads to offense,” Brown said. “So, if we can put the kids in the correct positions to build up that defensive mentality, that’ll help prepare us in each of the matches.”

Tribune’s Take

Even from watching just one match, it’s clear that University will be a Patriot League contender once again this fall. It will be a junior-heavy squad, but the Bulldogs have a lot of talent heading into the season.